Field-desk.



S. M! WIMSETT.

Patented Jan. '7, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

S. M. WIMSETT.

FIELD DESK.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1912. I 1,049,790. Patented Jan. 7, 1913.

' 2 SHE ETEFSHEET 2.

(r m i 1 \K I s LU Q 11 Q a u Q K-Q R I Quanta I provide a desk of this nature whichmay be SMITH M. WIMSETT, OF SAYLER PARK, OHIO.

FIELD-DESK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .Tune 12, 1912.

Patented J an. '7, 1913.

Serial No. 703,338.

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SMITH M. VVIMsnrT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sayler Park, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Field- Desks, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention comprehends certain new and useful improvements in field desks and relates more particularlyto desks of this nature which are so designed as to be capable of use either in the open or indoors.

The primary object of the invention is to easily folded in a compact form to facilitate the transportation of the same.

Another object of the invention isto provide a field desk equipped with a cover which will serve to effectually protect the contents of the desk.

Another object of the invention is to provide a field desk equipped with improved clips for holding, papers, blue prints, etc., in posit-ion thereon.

Another object of the invention is to pro- .vide a field desk of this nature which is provided with legs equipped with improved locking means whereby the legs can be retained at any angle, and held securely in any adjusted position.

,With these and other objects in view as shall become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts as I shall hereinafter fully describe and claim.

For a complete understanding of my invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, inwhich Figure 1 is a side elevation of my inven tion showing in dotted lines the position of the cover when raised. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my invention. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the center of my invention. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan View of a portion of the cover. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view showing one of the fasteners. Fig. '6is a detail view, partly in section, showing the manner. of fastening the legs, and Fig. 7 is a view taken on the plane of line '77 of Fig. 6.

Similar parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the accompanying drawings by like reference characters.

Referring to the drawing bynumerals, 1

designates the base of the desk and is preferably made rectangular, as shown and of suitable material such as wood. The cover 2 for the base 1 is'a shallow rectangular inverted box-like structure having a top 3, sidewalls 4 and a front wall 5; The cover is connected to the base 1 by a plurality of springs 6 coiled in circular recesses in the rung 7 and fastened at their ends to the underside of the base and to the top of the cover by the plates 8. The rung 7 is secured between the end portions of the side walls 4 which project beyond the rear end of the top 3. The. springs 6 tend to keep the cover 2 normally closed over the base 1. To support the cover in an open position I provide the folding braces 9 which, when not in use, are received in the recesses 10 in the side walls 4. v

Means for locking the cover 2 in its closed position to the base 1 comprise a pair of longitudinally extending arms 11 formed integrally with securing plates 12, which are connected to the under side of the base 1 adjacent the front edge thereof. Each arm 11 projects forwardly beyond the front wall 5 of the cover and is spaced from the under edge thereof for a purpose to beexplained later. tegrally with the transversely extending attaching plates 14 are secured to the front wall 5 at a greater distance from the longitudinal center of the cover than the arms 11. A locking rod 15 is attached to the arms 11 by the contractile springsl6 and when in operative position is seated in transverse notches in the top edge of the brackets 13. Longitudinal movement of the rod 15 is prevented by the springs 16 abutting the in- Supporting brackets 13 formed inner sides of the brackets 13. The ends. of l the rod 15 are enlarged to form gripping surfaces which facilitate unlocking the cover. I

Fasteners 16 for holding the sheets of paper, blue prints, tracings, etc., on the base 1 are attached to the four corners of said base. They comprise a vertical shank having ahook 18 formed onthe upper end and a button 19 formed on the lowerend. Each shank projects through a vertical opening 20 in the base and has its lower portion housed in a tubular casing 21 rigidly secured to the under side of the base 1 in vertical alinement with the opening 20. The lower portion of the shank 17 is enlarged to the diameter of the casing 21 and provides a shoulder against which an expansive spiral spring 22 acts to normally hold the hook 18 against the upper surface of the base 1. The casing 21 is of less length than that portion of the shank 17 which projects below the base 1 so that said shank may be pushed upwardly to raise the hook 18 above the base 1. Circular recesses are formed in the under side of the top 3 to receive the hooks 18 when the cover is closed.

Very often in using my invention a number of prints or drawings are positioned on the base and then it is advantageous to have some means for holding the top sheets in such a position as to expose the under sheets to view. To make this possible I provide spring clips each comprising a flat metal spring arm 23 pivotally secured at one end to the under edge of the front wall 5 of the cover 1. These arms are bowed inwardly and when not in use are swung parallel to the wall 5 and have their free ends disposed partly within the recesses 24. Handles 25 are formed on the arms 23 and by grasping these handles the arms may be swung downwardly, in which position they will bind against the top 3 and hold a sheet of paper. A spiral spring is coiled about the pivotal connection of each arm and spaces the arm from the wall 5. When the cover 2 is closed the spring arms 23 are positioned over the arms 11 which are spaced from the edge of the wall 5 to provide room for the arms 23.

When in use as a field desk the device is supported on the three legs 26. The legs gradually taper toward their lower ends and each is provided at its upper end with the spaced longitudinally extending side plates 27. A transverse bar 28 extends between the plates 27 and abuts the upper end of the leg. Ears 29 formed integrally with the plates 30, are secured to thebase 1 and provide means for attaching the legs. Each ear passes between the side plates on one of the legs and is held therebetween by a screw 31, passing through registered openings, and by a wing nut 32. One of the ears 29 is secured at the rear of the base 1 on the line of its longitudinal center and the others are secured to the front end on opposite sides and extend inwardly at an angle to each other. In order that the desk may be supported firmly on a surface into which it would be impossible to force the points of the legs I provide means for locking said legs at various angles. v

A doubly curved lever 33 is pivotally secured intermediate its ends between the side plates 27 of each leg by the screw 34, The inner portion of each lever projects past the lateral edge of the side plates and forms a handle while the outer portion is curved to conform to the ear 29 and is provided with a downwardly projecting portion adapted to engage teeth 35 formed on the outer edge of each ear. A spiral spring 36 forces each lever normally into locking engagement with the teeth 35 and a flange 36 formed on the inner edge of the transverse bar 28 acts as a stop for the lever.

hen using my improved field desk in the open the cover 2 serves to protect the contents of the desk from rain. To secure this protection the cover is closed upon the base 1 and locked in position therein and then the desk is tipped rearwardly so that any water falling upon the cover will run over the rear end thereof without injuring in any manner the papers secured under said cover. Tipping the desk forward, which may be done by a suitable adjustment of the legs, provides a suitable inclined surface for writing or drawing.

I have found it very advantageous to provide the desk with a transparent cover of glass when the same is being used in construction work. A transparent cover of this nature makes it possible to read the blue prints or drawings without opening said cover. This is very advantageous in that it removes any possibility of the drawings, prints, etc., becoming soiled or damaged.

By removing the legs from my invention a suitable binder or holder for indoor use is provided in which any number of drawings, blue prints and other papers of a similar nature can be securely held by the clips carried by the base 1.

When it is desired to fold the desk for transportation, the legs are detached from the cars 29 and secured to the under side of the base 1 by the strap 37 which passes through suitable loops 38 attached to the legs and to the base. A handle 39 is attached to one of said walls 1 of the cover 2 and provides means for carrying my improved desk.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawing it will be seen that I have provided a novel form of desk which is simple in construction,

which may be cheaply manufactured, and which serves to perform a number of useful functions. It is to be understood that while I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, but may make such changes as shall fall within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A clasp comprising a pair of spaced arms adapted to be secured to a fixed member, a straight locking bar, contractile springs secured to the locking bar and to the spaced arms, said springs forming the only connection therebetween, and a pair of bracket arms adapted to be secured to a relatively movable member for engagement by said locking bar.

2. A clasp comprising a pair of spaced angular arms adapted to be secured to a fixed member, a straight locking bar en larged at each end, contractile springs connected at one of their ends to said arms and at their other ends to the locking bar, said springs forming the only connecting means thereb'etween, and spaced bracket arms adapted to be secured to a relatively movable member, said bracket arms being removably engaged by the locking bar which extends a considerable distance beyond the same. i

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

SMITH M. WIMSETT. Witnesses:

LEO J. SwAssELL, RUSSELL R. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

